Josh Berry's Roller-Coaster Rookie Year in NASCAR Cup Series Ends with Mixed Results

Josh Berry's Roller-Coaster Rookie Year in NASCAR Cup Series Ends with Mixed Results

By Michael Harrison

November 27, 2024 at 01:10 PM

Josh Berry's debut NASCAR Cup Series season with Stewart-Haas Racing brought both triumphs and challenges amid significant organizational changes.

Berry stepped into the No. 4 car previously driven by Kevin Harvick, but the team's future was uncertain from the start. By May, Stewart-Haas Racing announced its closure at year's end, affecting over 300 employees.

"It's been an experience. It's been a challenge, for sure," Berry reflects. "But it's something that I'm still so grateful to have had the opportunity to race in the Cup Series with that team."

NASCAR driver beside racing car

NASCAR driver beside racing car

Season Highlights:

  • 4 top-10 finishes
  • 2 top-5 finishes
  • Led 32 laps at Iowa Speedway
  • Led at least one lap in 10 races
  • Strong performances at Iowa, New Hampshire, and Richmond
  • Secured 2025 seat with Wood Brothers Racing (No. 21 car)

Notable Challenges:

  • 10 DNFs throughout the season
  • Daytona crash with two laps remaining
  • Southern 500 strategy mishap
  • Adapting to high-speed tracks like Pocono and Michigan
  • Missed Rookie of the Year honors, finishing behind Carson Hocevar

Berry found most success on short tracks and unique intermediates like Darlington and Dover. Despite the challenging season's circumstances, he's already preparing for 2025 with Wood Brothers Racing, focusing on building upon his rookie year experience.

"We're going to work on some things early in the offseason and then get some time off. But in January, we'll be ready to hit the ground running," Berry states, looking ahead to his sophomore season.

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